Citizens Fire Academy sees high enrollment in first year

Updated 11:10 pm, Saturday, November 24, 2012

Photo: Kin Man Hui, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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Firefighter Cody Davenport supports Citizens Fire Academy student Annamarie Ramos as she tries her hand at managing a fire hose. Members of the academy met weekly to learn how the Fire Department works and how firefighters do their jobs.

Firefighter Cody Davenport supports Citizens Fire Academy student Annamarie Ramos as she tries her hand at managing a fire hose. Members of the academy met weekly to learn how the Fire Department works and how

Citizen academy members make their way up several flights of stairs while in full firefighting gear. The group put on fire suits, learned how to use a breathing apparatus and ran a series of exercises with a fire hose.

Citizen academy members make their way up several flights of stairs while in full firefighting gear. The group put on fire suits, learned how to use a breathing apparatus and ran a series of exercises with a

Megan Mendez puts on a breathing mask along with her helmet and other firefighting gear.

Megan Mendez puts on a breathing mask along with her helmet and other firefighting gear.

Photo: Kin Man Hui, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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San Antonio Fire Department Fire Academy instructor Bennie Marberry (second from right) talks to students from the department's first Citizen's Fire Academy after a fire demonstration on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012. The 12-week long class meets once a week and will learn much about how the San Antonio Fire Department works and how firefighters do their jobs. The goal of SAFD is to offer public awareness and education and when the group finishes, they can be advocates for the department. During this class session, the students learned in class about how firefighters tackle a fire scene and then saw an a fire demonstration out at the academy facility. They topped off the evening with some of them getting a chance at handling a fire hose - though at slightly less pressure.

San Antonio Fire Department Fire Academy instructor Bennie Marberry (second from right) talks to students from the department's first Citizen's Fire Academy after a fire demonstration on Tuesday, Sept. 18,

Student Pete Hernandez runs upstairs with inch and three-quarter hose Week 6 of San Antonio Fire Department's Citizen's Fire Academy on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. The group put on protective suits, learned how a breathing apparatus works and ran a series of exercises with a fire hose.

A Texas Air National Guard F-16 flies over the extended aerial platform of a SAFD truck on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. The department's Citizen's Fire Academy class were given a tour of several firefighting vehicles on the grounds of the training academy.

A Texas Air National Guard F-16 flies over the extended aerial platform of a SAFD truck on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. The department's Citizen's Fire Academy class were given a tour of several firefighting

Lydia Borroel (from left), Borroel's sister Annamarie Ramos and Megan Mendez have a laugh as they put on their bunker gear or protective equipment during Week 6 of San Antonio Fire Department's Citizen's Fire Academy on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. The group put on the suits, learned how a breathing apparatus works and ran a series of exercises with a fire hose.

Lydia Borroel (from left), Borroel's sister Annamarie Ramos and Megan Mendez have a laugh as they put on their bunker gear or protective equipment during Week 6 of San Antonio Fire Department's Citizen's Fire

Ashley Marroquin (from left) Alicia Martinez and Frances Lopez gather their bunker gear during Week 6 of San Antonio Fire Department's Citizen's Fire Academy on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. The group put on fire suits, learned how a breathing apparatus works and ran a series of exercises with a fire hose.

San Antonio Fire Academy instructor Ben Marberry helps student Albert Alvizo with his breathing apparatus as other members of the Citizen's Fire Academy try on bunker gear for the first time on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. The group put on protective fire suits, learned how a breathing apparatus works and ran a series of exercises with a fire hose.

San Antonio Fire Academy instructor Ben Marberry helps student Albert Alvizo with his breathing apparatus as other members of the Citizen's Fire Academy try on bunker gear for the first time on Tuesday, Sept.

Albert Alvizo sits the driver's seat of a San Antonio Fire Department ladder truck on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. Alvizo is part of the department's first Citizen's Fire Academy. The group of 19 people are given an opportunity to experience and learn about what life is like for the city's firefighters. On Tuesday, the group was given a tour of several firefighting vehicles on the grounds of the training academy.

Albert Alvizo sits the driver's seat of a San Antonio Fire Department ladder truck on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. Alvizo is part of the department's first Citizen's Fire Academy. The group of 19 people are given

Megan Mendez on the nozzle with Albert Alvizo shoot water at a structure as instructor Ben Marberry watches in amusement on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. The Citizen's Fire Academy students put on protective suits, learned how to use a breathing apparatus and ran a series of exercises with a fire hose.

Megan Mendez on the nozzle with Albert Alvizo shoot water at a structure as instructor Ben Marberry watches in amusement on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. The Citizen's Fire Academy students put on protective suits,

Pete Hernadez (from left), Michael Henderson and SAFD PIO Christian Bove prepare to walk up several flights of stairs in their bunker gear and breathing apparatus during Week 6 of San Antonio Fire Department's Citizen's Fire Academy on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. The group put on the suits, learned how a breathing apparatus works and ran a series of exercises with a fire hose.

Pete Hernadez (from left), Michael Henderson and SAFD PIO Christian Bove prepare to walk up several flights of stairs in their bunker gear and breathing apparatus during Week 6 of San Antonio Fire Department's

Students Annamarie Ramos (from right), Lydia Borroel, Megan Mendez and Roman de la Luz observe and listen to a demonstration of a working fire at the San Antonio Fire Department's first Citizen's Fire Academy on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012. The 12-week long class meets once a week and will learn much about how the fire department works and how firefighters do their jobs. The goal of SAFD is to offer public awareness and education and when the group finishes, they can be advocates for the department. During this class session, the students learned in class about how firefighters tackle a fire scene and then saw an a fire demonstration out at the academy facility. They topped off the evening with some of them getting a chance at handling a fire hose - though at slightly less pressure.

Students Annamarie Ramos (from right), Lydia Borroel, Megan Mendez and Roman de la Luz observe and listen to a demonstration of a working fire at the San Antonio Fire Department's first Citizen's Fire Academy

A Citizen's Fire Academy students walks out from a smoke-filled building at as part of an exercise at the San Antonio Fire Academy on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. About 19 students have spent one day a week for the past 12 weeks learning what firefighters experience during training and on the the job.

A Citizen's Fire Academy students walks out from a smoke-filled building at as part of an exercise at the San Antonio Fire Academy on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. About 19 students have spent one day a week for the

Megan Mendez runs with a inch and three-quarter hose as members of the Citizen's Fire Acadmey perform a fire hose exercise on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. The group put on protective suits, learned how a breathing apparatus works and ran a series of exercises with a fire hose.

Megan Mendez runs with a inch and three-quarter hose as members of the Citizen's Fire Acadmey perform a fire hose exercise on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. The group put on protective suits, learned how a breathing

Citizen's Fire Academy students are seen via a thermal imager as they walk in a darkened smoke-filled room on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. About 19 students spent 12 weeks, once a week, taking part in exercises and interactions to understand what firefighters go through in training and work.

Citizen's Fire Academy students are seen via a thermal imager as they walk in a darkened smoke-filled room on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. About 19 students spent 12 weeks, once a week, taking part in exercises and

Students talk with firefighters by an aerial platform truck Week 5 of San Antonio Fire Department's Citizen's Fire Academy on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. The group was given a tour of several firefighting vehicles on the grounds of the training academy.

Students talk with firefighters by an aerial platform truck Week 5 of San Antonio Fire Department's Citizen's Fire Academy on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. The group was given a tour of several firefighting vehicles

Arson Investigator and Engineer J.D. Davis takes his arson dog Kai through an exercise as part of demonstration for Citizen's Fire Academy students on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012.

Arson Investigator and Engineer J.D. Davis takes his arson dog Kai through an exercise as part of demonstration for Citizen's Fire Academy students on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012.

Photo: Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News

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Citizens Fire Academy sees high enrollment in first year

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Almost without exchanging a word, the firefighters approached and dismantled the Jaguar XJ6 in minutes — breaking out windows, peeling back the roof and cutting off doors to remove mangled metal from around an imaginary trapped person in the cabin.

Then it was time for the students of the inaugural San Antonio Citizens Fire Academy class to do the same, and while their efforts weren't as seamless, several said the experience was invaluable.

“To me it was fascinating to see. They were very orchestrated, very skillful,” said William Cunningham, 32, who's studying to be an emergency medical technician but has decided to try and join the San Antonio Fire Department, partly as a result of the citizen academy. “As soon as one person did something, they stepped out of the way for the next person. Everyone knows their function.”

Using the rescue equipment on the car was one of many hands-on activities included in the 12-week program, consisting of one four-hour class per week.

Bennie Marberry is a training instructor with the Fire Department and was a leader in organizing the citizen academy.

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“We originally planned on capping the class at 20 participants but we ended up with 24,” he said. “As soon as we had the first class set, we already had a waiting list of 28 people for the next.”

Based on the positive response, Marberry said, plans are to continue the class and expand the number of students, too.

The first graduation was Tuesday, and the graduates were recognized by Fire Chief Charles Hood.

Frances Lopez, the oldest member of the class, became interested because of her work with the San Antonio Fire Museum and because of stories she's heard from her boyfriend, a retired firefighter.

“It's not only exciting for people who want to get into the Fire Department, but even for people like me who just want to see what the every day is like for them,” she said. “I mean, I've been up in a ladder truck 200 feet off the ground — a lot of people don't get to do that.”

Megan Mendez, 20, hopes to eventually work for the SAFD. She took the test that determines eligibility for the fire academy once before but didn't score highly enough to make the cut.

“For me, what I saw in the academy motivated me to continue trying to be a firefighter,” she said.

Each student was allowed to sign up for a ride-along shift, but Mendez, who also is studying to become an emergency medical technician, said she signed up for three, taking advantage of the opportunity to see Fire Department responses firsthand.

“Some of the calls, I was surprised the person called 911 because it didn't really seem like an emergency,” she said. “But even on those calls, it was exciting to watch them ... I learned a lot.”

Earlier this month, a week before graduation from the citizen academy, Mendez took the test a second time and Cunningham took it for the first time. Both are anxiously awaiting the results, which should be posted online next week.